Miami vs New Orleans: Short-Term Rental Rules Compared (2026)
Miami is currently "restricted" while New Orleans is "restricted". Full verified details for both markets below — always confirm current requirements with each jurisdiction.
Side by side
| Rule | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Restricted | Restricted |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes |
| Permit name | Certificate of Use (CU) for Lodging + Business Tax Receipt (BTR) (City of Miami), plus Florida DBPR lodging license and Certificate of Occupancy | Non-Commercial Short-Term Rental (NSTR) Owner Permit (residential zones); Commercial Short-Term Rental (CSTR) Owner Permit (commercial/mixed-use zones); plus a separate STR Operator Permit |
| Permit fee | — | $500 |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual |
| Primary residence only | No | No |
| Owner occupancy required | No | No |
| Night cap / year | None found | None found |
| Minimum stay | None found | None found |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~13% | ~16.75% |
| Last verified | July 10, 2026 | July 10, 2026 |
Compare guest tax loads
Switch between the two markets to see itemized occupancy taxes on the same stay.
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Florida Transient Rental Tax (state sales tax) (6%)· usually collected by platform | $27.00 |
| Miami-Dade Discretionary Sales Surtax (1%)· usually collected by platform | $4.50 |
| Miami-Dade Tourist Development Tax (2%)· usually collected by platform | $9.00 |
| Miami-Dade Convention Development Tax (3%)· usually collected by platform | $13.50 |
| Miami-Dade Professional Sports Franchise Facility Tax (1%)· usually collected by platform | $4.50 |
| Total tax (13%) | $58.50 |
| Guest pays | $508.50 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Miami, FL
In the City of Miami (distinct from Miami Beach), short-term rentals are banned in T3 and T4-R transect zones — which cover most single-family homes and duplexes — under a ban upheld in City of Miami v. Airbnb, and are legal only in higher-intensity zones where Miami 21 permits lodging. Operating legally requires converting the unit to Apartment-Hotel/Condo-Hotel use via a building permit, then holding a Certificate of Occupancy, an annually renewed city Certificate of Use, a city Business Tax Receipt, and a Florida DBPR lodging license (about $170/year for a single unit plus a $50 application fee; city fees are invoiced case-by-case). Combined lodging taxes total roughly 13% (6% state sales + 1% county surtax + 6% Miami-Dade tourist taxes), which registered platforms like Airbnb collect. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Miamirules, playbook & sources →New Orleans, LA
Short-term rentals are legal in New Orleans only with a city STR Owner permit plus a separate Operator permit: residential properties need a Non-Commercial (NSTR) owner permit ($500/yr plus $50 application fee), awarded by quarterly lottery with a hard cap of one NSTR or B&B per city square, and a permitted operator must live on site during every guest stay. STRs are banned in most of the French Quarter and in the Garden District, each owner may hold only one STR permit, and the city has accepted no new Commercial (CSTR) applications since June 8, 2023; since June 2025 platforms like Airbnb must verify a valid city permit before allowing bookings. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full New Orleansrules, playbook & sources →Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change frequently in both markets; verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating.